Following its launch in Japan late last year, Suzuki unveiled its new third generation Swift for Europe at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show in March, and it goes on sale here early with an entry-level price of €14,495.
Suzuki says this new global compact supermini represents an automotive advancement that aims to uplift the driver through "succession, evolution and innovation".
It carries forward the Swift DNA, while still adopting completely new styling and a performance-enhancing light body with advanced safety technologies. The result is distinctive exterior styling, complemented by a sporty and functional interior.
In addition to its exterior design in a compact size - it is shorter, wider, and lower, with a longer wheelbase - the new Swift features excellent visibility, a spacious cabin and ample luggage space, which has been increased by 25 per cent.
It will be available in three specification levels - the SZ3, SZ-T and SZ5 grades - and pricing will be announced later this month. Standard features will include six airbags, air conditioning, Bluetooth, a DAB radio, and privacy glass. Higher-level versions will feature safety technologies that includes forward vehicle detection, automated braking, active cruise control, and lane departure warning.
The new Swift is up to 10 per cent lighter, 19 per cent more powerful, and eight per cent more fuel efficient than the outgoing model.
It will be available with two petrol engines already familiar from the Baleno, the 1.2 four and 1.0 turbocharged 3-cylinder, with 90hp and 111hp respectively.
There will be three grades, the entry with the 1.2 engine, the mid-range and expected to be best seller with the 1.0 engine, and a top grade with the 1.0 in manual and 1.2 with all-grip 4WD.
An automatic transmission is available for €2,000. A mild-hybrid system uses an integrated starter/generator that recycles engine heat into electrical power and provides a torque boost at startup and a small-burst boost to acceleration.
During interior design, lowering the seating positions has ensured suficient head clearance (the same as for outgoing Swift for the front seats ) and added 23mm vertical and lateral space for the rear seating positions. The fronts seats have been moved outwards by 10mm which has increased the centre-on-centre distance between them by 20mm.
Under the ‘Suzuki Next 100’ plan, Suzuki developed a new platform strategy for its future models and the Swift is now the third model (following Baleno and Ignis ) to adopt this new generation platform and be introduced in Europe.
The new Swift rests on a new-generation platform “Heartect” that delivers enhanced fundamental vehicle performance due to being light and highly rigid. A comprehensive overhaul of the underbody’s structure and component layout resulted in the adoption of a highly rigid frame that enhances collision safety and has a continuous, smooth and curving form that better helps disperse energy.
This has led to a reduction in reinforcements, making the body a lot lighter than the outgoing Swift, and greatly contributing to lower fuel consumption and vast improvements in the fundamental vehicle functions of running, turning and braking.
It is available in 10 colours with full personalisation options available for both exterior and interior trim.
